Air Duct Cleaning- Does it Make a Difference? (how much, furnace, heat)

[mbjjbtb]

I am wondering if anyone has had the airducts cleaned in their home and found it to make a big difference. I suffer from allergies and just recently starting to think that maybe we should have the airducts cleaned. We have never done this before but maybe it's worth checking into.
Any info would be appreciated.

[ducter]

How old are the ducts?
Do you have a central return (one place to change filters usually in a hallway?
Are they flex ducts?

These all matter as to how much difference you will see. I also question how well flex ducts can be cleaned without ripping them and know one knowing Remember they are insulated with fibreglass on the outside and a loose coil wire and thin film to form a duct so a rip could cause more issues than you may have now.

If you have a central filter (or 2. one upstairs one downstairs) and they are changed every month or so, they should not need to be cleaned often at all.

As this is an area ripe for scams, dont use anyone unless someone you know has used them.

[ducter]

Just add I wouldnt bother trying to create a good allergy filtration out of you hvac since it never was designed to do that job. The filter is mainly to keep the ducts somewhat clean and protect the actual hvac unit where the air flows through.

If building a new system, it can be done for $.

Other than that I would say use another indpendent solution like a portable unit. Dont use the super duper filter that say they filter everything on the earth, the can restric airflow and cause issues with your unit.

[TFW46]

If you do a search for air duct cleaning on this forum, you'll find several discussions of its merits. I asked the same question a couple of years ago and got some great answers.

[MrRational]

I have a 50yo house with original sheet metal duct work in great shape.

As part of some planned remodeling work much of that duct trunk and branches will be moved some and all of it will be jostled around to accommodate moving the furnace itself, to allow for good insulation, and when re-installed to minimize the size of the bulkhead needed to hide the duct when I later close it all in.

Before I start disturbing the duct it will get cleaned.
But my situation is a bit unusual.

[mbjjbtb]

Thanks for the info. The house is about 10 years old. We are not the original owners. There are several places in the home for changing filters which we do monthly. I was told to check the furnace as there should be a place for a filter on the side. I don't see anything though and don't want to fool with things I know nothing about. I do think we may have a rip in the lines somewhere as we have a problem in two rooms during the winter where cold air will come out when the fan kicks in. We are going to have this checked.
I appreciate all the help.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by mbjjbtb

There are several places in the home for changing filters which we do monthly. I was told to check the furnace as there should be a place for a filter on the side. I don't see anything though and don't want to fool with things I know nothing about.

Usually... the return ductwork will have the filter; not the furnace itself (though some do).
Meaning the holder for the filter is built into the sheet metal work.

Ask your handiest neighbor or buddy to come by and look with you.

I do think we may have a rip in the lines somewhere as we have a problem in two rooms during the winter where cold air will come out when the fan kicks in.

"They all do that sir."
Well, at least until the burner has warmed the heat exchanger enough to actually exchange the heat into the air flowing by.


hth

[mbjjbtb]

"They all do that sir."--- Proving the point that I am a bit of an idiot.


Well, at least until the burner has warmed the heat exchanger enough to actually exchange the heat into the air flowing by.

We have had plenty of the scammers come by and politely dismissed them. Neither my husband nor myself know what we are doing so we have to hire people each time there is an issue. I will keep trying to do my homework before I ask any more silly questions.
Thanks.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by mbjjbtb

Proving the point that I am a bit of an idiot.
You're anything but an idiot.

I will keep trying to do my homework before I ask any more silly questions.

No such thing as a silly Q.
But on the point of doing homework if you don't already have one of these then spend the $23 to get it:
http://www.amazon.com/New-Fix-Yourse.../ref=pd_sim_b1